Over The Stove Microwave Exhaust Extension

ABSTRACT

A hood extension assembly for use with an above the stove microwave having a built-in ventilation system. The hood extension assembly is fixedly or movably mountable to an underside of an above the stove microwave or to the surrounding cabinetry. A skirt body of a hood panel sloped downward from back to front extends from the front of the microwave to extend over and cover the front burners of the stove or cooktop. A pair of side panels attach to the hood panel and extend rearward to protect the surrounding cabinetry. The pair of side panels may attach directly to the underside of the microwave or to a bracket component attachable to the underside of the microwave.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S.Provisional Application No. 63/324,805, which was filed on Mar. 29, 2022and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a cooking hood extension, andmore specifically to a hood extension assembly for use with an above thestove microwave with a built-in ventilation system. Accordingly, thepresent specification makes specific reference thereto. However, it isto be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equallyamenable to other like applications, devices, and methods ofmanufacture.

BACKGROUND

An exhaust hood for an oven or stove is a mechanical fan basedventilation system that hangs above the cooktop in the kitchen. It isdesigned to ventilate and remove airborne grease, combustion products,fumes, smoke, heat, and steam from the air by evacuation of the air andfiltration. In most exhaust hood systems, a built-in filtration systemremoves and traps grease and other particles. Although many vent hoodsexhaust air to the outside, some recirculate the air to the kitchen. Ina recirculating system, filters may be used to remove odors in additionto the grease containment.

An extractor hood is generally constructed from a skirt or capture paneldesigned to contain the rising gases, a grease filter, and a fan forventilation. Ventilation or exhaust hoods serve many purposes. They aredesigned to draw steam and moisture away from surrounding cabinetry anddecrease excess odor, smoke, and grease. They also draw heat generatedfrom the burners, cooking elements, and cooking apparatuses away from auser's face and body and remove particles that can be irritating to theeyes and throat.

Microwaves mounted above a stove are especially susceptible to excessgrease and other debris from splattering on the front surface whilecooking. Excess heat is distributed through the kitchen from the frontburners. The built-in microwave hood or vent above the stove onlyextends part way over the cooking surface leaving the front burnersgenerally unprotected. Cabinets, drawers, paint, and other finishes cansuffer damage from constant exposure to steam and other forms of heatgenerated in the cooking process.

A typical range hood is designed specifically only for ventilation whilea microwave hood allows the microwave to cook and ventilate the areadirectly below. Microwave hood combination units can cook food whilesimultaneously venting smoke, odor and grease coming off the cookingsurface underneath. Both regular exhaust only hoods and combinationmicrowave exhaust systems can vent kitchen air outside or throughrecirculation, depending on the model and the ductwork in the kitchen.

Above the range microwaves are essentially two-in-one appliances. Theyare designed to save space by not requiring countertop space while stillretaining some cabinet space above the microwave. Microwave hoodcombinations eliminate the need for two separate appliance purchases,installations and dedicated spaces. However, the ventilationcapabilities of existing above the range microwaves are generally not asgood as dedicated ventilation hoods.

Accordingly, there is a great need for an improved ventilation systemfor use with existing above the range microwaves. There is also a needfor a device configured to reduce exposure to steam and heat whilecooking on a cooktop. Similarly, there is a need for an above-the-stovemicrowave extension attachment capable of catching excess heat andgrease from splattering on the microwave and surrounding cabinets. Thereis also a need for a product that prevents excess heat from the stovefrom traveling upward and expanding into the kitchen. Further, there isa need for a ventilation system enhancement that secures to the base ofthe microwave like a standard range hood.

In this manner, the improved ventilation system for existing above therange microwaves of the present invention accomplishes all of theforgoing objectives, thereby providing an easy solution for preventingexcess heat from the stove from traveling upward and expanding into thekitchen, creating an incredibly hot environment. A primary feature ofthe present invention is a product that secures to the base of themicrowave like a standard range hood. The present invention allows theuser to reduce exposure to steam and heat while cooking on a cooktop,extending the life of a microwave and kitchen. Finally, the improvedventilation system of the present invention is capable of catchingexcess heat and grease from splattering on the microwave and surroundingcabinets and redirecting it not the existing built-in ventilation systemof the microwave mounted above the cooktop.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basicunderstanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summaryis not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identifykey/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its solepurpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude tothe more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodimentthereof, comprises a hood extension assembly. The hood extensionassembly is configured for use with an above the range microwave oven.The hood extension assembly is designed to extend the reach of anexhaust system of the above the range microwave oven so that the frontburners or front of a cooktop beneath the microwave oven are fullyprotected by the built-in exhaust system of the microwave oven.

The hood extension assembly comprises a hood panel and a pair of sidepanels. The hood panel comprises a skirt body, a back portion, and afront portion. The skirt body is sloped downward from back to frontbetween the back and front portions. The back portion comprises at leastone mounting hole for attaching to an underside of the microwave oven.The front portion comprises a lip extending downward and perpendicularlyoriented to the back portion. The skirt body extends generally outwardand away from a front of the microwave oven.

The pair of side panels are parallelly disposed on opposing ends of theskirt body and extend perpendicularly rearward. Each side panelcomprises a top lip extending rearward from the back portion of theskirt body. Each top lip further extends perpendicularly inward from theside panel toward the opposing side panel. Each top lip comprises aplurality of mounting holes for attaching to an underside of themicrowave oven.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in an additionalembodiment thereof, comprises a detachable hood extension assembly. Thedetachable hood extension assembly comprises a hood panel and a pair ofside panels. The hood panel comprises a skirt body, a back portion, anda front portion. The skirt body is sloped downward from back to frontbetween the back and front portions. The front portion comprises a lipextending downward and perpendicularly oriented to the back portion. Theskirt body extends generally outward and away from a front of themicrowave oven. The detachable hood extension assembly may furthercomprise a handle attached to the lip.

The pair of side panels are parallelly disposed on opposing ends of theskirt body and extend perpendicularly rearward. Each side panel maycomprise a top lip extending rearward from the back portion of the skirtbody. Each top lip may further extend perpendicularly inward from theside panel toward the opposing side panel.

The detachable hood extension assembly further comprises a pair ofbrackets. Each bracket comprises a mounting member and a mounting memberengaging rail. Each mounting member is attachable to an underside of themicrowave oven. Each mounting member engaging rail is attachable to oneof the side panels and slidably engages the respective mounting member.The mounting member engaging rails may pull out of and completely detachfrom the mounting members to remove the hood panel and pair of sidepanels from beneath the microwave oven when not needed.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in an additionalembodiment thereof, comprises a hood extension assembly. The hoodextension assembly comprises a hood panel and a pair of side panels. Thehood panel comprises a skirt body, a back portion, and a front portion.The skirt body is sloped downward from back to front between the backand front portions. The front portion comprises a lip extending downwardand perpendicularly oriented to the back portion. The skirt body extendsgenerally outward and away from a front of the microwave oven. The hoodextension assembly may further comprise a handle attached to the lip.

The pair of side panels are parallelly disposed on opposing ends of theskirt body and extend perpendicularly rearward. Each side panel maycomprise a top lip extending rearward from the back portion of the skirtbody. Each top lip further extends perpendicularly inward from the sidepanel toward the opposing side panel.

The hood extension assembly further comprises a pair of brackets. Eachbracket comprises a mounting member and a mounting member engaging rail.Each mounting member is attachable to an underside of the microwaveoven. Each mounting member engaging rail is attachable to the top lip ofone of the side panels and slidably engages the respective mountingmember. The hood extension assembly is retractable and extendable withthe hood panel and pair of sidewalls retractable and extendable alongthe underside of the microwave oven.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certainillustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein inconnection with the following description and the annexed drawings.These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various waysin which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and is intendedto include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages andnovel features will become apparent from the following detaileddescription when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar referencecharacters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a hood extension assembly ofthe present invention attached to and installed under an above the rangemicrowave oven in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the hood extension assembly ofthe present invention detached from under the above the range microwaveoven in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the hood extension assembly ofthe present invention for use with the above the range microwave oven inaccordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 4 illustrates an underneath view of the hood extension assembly ofthe present invention for use with the above the range microwave oven inaccordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a detachable hood extensionassembly of the present invention for use with an above the rangemicrowave oven in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded view of the detachable hood extensionassembly of the present invention for use with the above the rangemicrowave oven in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of an extendable and retractablehood extension assembly of the present invention for use with an abovethe range microwave oven in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of the extendable and retractable hoodextension assembly of the present invention in an extended position foruse with the above the above the range microwave oven in accordance withthe disclosed architecture.

FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of the extendable and retractable hoodextension assembly of the present invention in a retracted position foruse with the above the range microwave oven in accordance with thedisclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, whereinlike reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout.In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovationcan be practiced without these specific details. In other instances,well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form inorder to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments arediscussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are describedonly to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They do notintend as an exhaustive description of the invention or do not limit thescope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need nothave all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments,any of the features described herein from different embodiments may becombined.

The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is an improvedexhaust vent extension that mounts under a microwave above a stovetop.Users can secure the extension in place using screws or other mechanicalfasteners. The attachments may be constructed using a lightweightstainless or paintable steel. Users can secure the attachment and cookfood to prevent excess grease and steam from traveling upward andsplattering the microwave surface or nearby kitchen cabinets.Traditional built-in exhaust systems of above the range microwave ovensonly extend slightly outward from the cabinets leaving the forwardportions of the cooktop uncovered and unprotected.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIGS. 1-9 illustrate a hoodextension assembly 100. The hood extension assembly 100 is configuredfor use with an above the range microwave oven 10 with a built-inventing system. The hood extension assembly 100 is designed to extendthe reach of an exhaust system of the microwave oven 10 so that smoke orfumes from the front burners or front of a cooktop beneath the microwaveoven 10 are captured by the built-in exhaust system of the microwaveoven 10. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the hood extension assembly100 is fixedly or movably mountable to an underside of the above thestove microwave oven 10 or to the surrounding cabinetry 20.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the hood extension assembly 100comprises a hood panel 110 and a pair of side panels 130. The hood panel110 comprises a skirt body 120, a back portion 122, and a front portion126. The skirt body 120 is sloped downward from back to front betweenthe back 122 and front portions 126. The hood panel 110 is typicallyconstructed from a durable metal and further comprises an inner surface114 and an outer surface 112. The inner surface 112 may be constructedwith or coated with a non-stick surface or coating.

The back portion 122 is generally horizontal in orientation andcomprises at least one mounting hole 124 for attaching to an undersideof the microwave oven 10 with at least one mechanical fastener, such asa screw. The front portion 126 comprises a lip 128. The lip 128 extendsdownward and is perpendicularly oriented to the back portion 122. Theskirt body 122 extends generally angularly outward and away from a frontof the microwave oven 10.

The pair of side panels 130 are parallelly disposed on opposing ends ofthe skirt body 110 and extend perpendicularly rearward. Each side panel130 comprises a side panel body 136, a back 142, and a front 144. Thefront 144 angles or narrows to match the slope of the skirt body 120.Each side panel 130 is typically constructed from the same material asthe hood panel 110 and further comprises an inner surface 134 and anouter surface 132. The inner surface 132 may be constructed with orcoated with a non-stick surface or coating.

Each side panel 130 further comprises a top lip 138. The top lip 138extends rearward from the back portion 122 of the skirt body 120. Eachtop lip 138 further extends perpendicularly inward from the side panel130 toward the opposing side panel 130. Each top lip 130 comprises aplurality of mounting holes 140 for attaching to an underside of themicrowave oven with a plurality of mechanical fasteners, such as screws.

As illustrated in FIG. 4 , the hood extension assembly 100 may furthercomprise at least one lighting element 146. The at least one lightingelement 146 is attachable or integrable within the inner surface 114 ofthe hood panel 110. The at least one lighting element 146 is typicallybattery powered separate from any other kitchen lighting and istypically directed toward the cooktop.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in an additionalembodiment thereof as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 , comprises adetachable hood extension assembly 100. The detachable hood extensionassembly 100 comprises a hood panel 110 and a pair of side panels 130.The hood panel 110 comprises a skirt body 120, a back portion 122, and afront portion 126. The skirt body 120 is sloped downward from back tofront between the back 122 and front portions 126. The hood panel 110 istypically constructed from a durable metal and further comprises aninner surface 114 and an outer surface 112. The inner surface 112 may beconstructed with or coated with a non-stick surface or coating.

The back portion 122 is generally horizontal in orientation. The frontportion 126 comprises a lip 128. The lip 128 extends downward and isperpendicularly oriented to the back portion 122. The skirt body 122extends generally angularly outward and away from a front of themicrowave oven 10. The detachable hood extension assembly 100 mayfurther comprise a handle 148 attached to the lip 128.

The pair of side panels 130 are parallelly disposed on opposing ends ofthe skirt body 110 and extend perpendicularly rearward. Each side panel130 comprises a side panel body 136, a back 142, and a front 144. Thefront 144 angles or narrows to match the slope of the skirt body 120.Each side panel 130 is typically constructed from the same material asthe hood panel 110 and further comprises an inner surface 134 and anouter surface 132. The inner surface 132 may be constructed with orcoated with a non-stick surface or coating. Each side panel 130 mayfurther comprise a top lip 138. The top lip 138 extends rearward fromthe back portion 122 of the skirt body 120. Each top lip 138 furtherextends perpendicularly inward from the side panel 130 toward theopposing side panel 130.

The detachable hood extension assembly 100 further comprises a pair ofbrackets 150. Each bracket 150 comprises a mounting member 152 and amounting member engaging rail 154. Each mounting member 152 isattachable to an underside of the microwave oven 10 or to thesurrounding cabinetry 20. Each mounting member engaging rail 154 isfixedly attachable to one of the side panels 130. The mounting memberengaging rail 154 slidably engages the respective mounting member 154.The mounting member engaging rails 154 may pull out of and completelydetach from the mounting members 152 to remove the hood panel 110 andpair of side panels 130 from beneath the microwave oven 10 when notneeded. The mounting members 152 remain in place when the rest of thedetachable hood extension assembly 100 is not needed and are lowprofile.

The hood extension assembly 100 may further comprise at least onelighting element 146. The at least one lighting element 146 isattachable or integrable within the inner surface 114 of the hood panel110. The at least one lighting element 146 is typically battery poweredseparate from any other kitchen lighting and is typically directedtoward the cooktop.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in an additionalembodiment thereof as illustrated in FIGS. 7-9 , comprises a hoodextension assembly 100. The hood extension assembly 100 is configured tobe extendable and retractable. The hood extension assembly 100 comprisesa hood panel 110 and a pair of side panels 130. The hood panel 110comprises a skirt body 120, a back portion 122, and a front portion 126.The skirt body 120 is sloped downward from back to front between theback 122 and front portions 126. The hood panel 110 is typicallyconstructed from a durable metal and further comprises an inner surface114 and an outer surface 112. The inner surface 112 may be constructedwith or coated with a non-stick surface or coating.

The back portion 122 is generally horizontal in orientation. The frontportion 126 comprises a lip 128. The lip 128 extends downward and isperpendicularly oriented to the back portion 122. The skirt body 122extends generally angularly outward and away from a front of themicrowave oven 10. The hood extension assembly 100 may further comprisea handle 148 attached to the lip 128.

The pair of side panels 130 are parallelly disposed on opposing ends ofthe skirt body 110 and extend perpendicularly rearward. Each side panel130 comprises a side panel body 136, a back 142, and a front 144. Thefront 144 angles to match the slope of the skirt body 120. Each sidepanel 130 is typically constructed from the same material as the hoodpanel 110 and further comprises an inner surface 134 and an outersurface 132. The inner surface 132 may be constructed with or coatedwith a non-stick surface or coating. Each side panel 130 may furthercomprise a top lip 138. The top lip 138 extends rearward from the backportion 122 of the skirt body 120. Each top lip 138 further extendsperpendicularly inward from the side panel 130 toward the opposing sidepanel 130.

The hood extension assembly 100 further comprises a pair of brackets150. Each bracket 150 comprises a mounting member 152 and a mountingmember engaging rail 154. Each mounting member 152 is attachable to anunderside of the microwave oven 10 or to the surrounding cabinetry 20.Each mounting member engaging rail 154 is fixedly attachable to the toplip 138 of one of the side panels 130. The mounting member engaging rail154 slidably engages the respective mounting member 154. The hoodextension assembly 100 is retractable and extendable with the hood panel110 and pair of sidewalls 130 retractable and extendable along theunderside of the microwave oven.

As illustrated in FIG. 8 , when fully extended, the skirt body 120slides out and is fully extended beyond the underside of the microwaveoven 10 to completely protect the front of the cook top below. Asillustrated in FIG. 9 , the skirt body 120 slides backward and is fullyretracted beneath the underside of the microwave oven 10 when notneeded. Accordingly, the retracted hood extension assembly 100 providesa more streamlined look when no one is cooking.

Notwithstanding the forgoing, the hood extension assembly 100 can be anysuitable size, shape, and configuration as is known in the art withoutaffecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that itaccomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in theart will appreciate that the shape and size of the hood extensionassembly 100 and its various components, as show in the FIGS. are forillustrative purposes only, and that many other shapes and sizes of thehood extension assembly 100 are well within the scope of the presentdisclosure. Although dimensions of the hood extension assembly 100 andits components (i.e., length, width, and height) are important designparameters for good performance, the hood extension assembly 100 and itsvarious components may be any shape or size that ensures optimalperformance during use and/or that suits user need and/or preference. Assuch, the hood extension assembly 100 may be comprised of sizing/shapingthat is appropriate and specific in regard to whatever the hoodextension assembly 100 is designed to be applied.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subjectmatter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivablecombination of components or methodologies for purposes of describingthe claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art mayrecognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimedsubject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter isintended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variationsthat fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in eitherthe detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to beinclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising”is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hood extension assembly for use with amicrowave oven comprising: a hood panel comprising a skirt body slopeddownward from back to front; and a pair of side panels parallellydisposed on opposing ends of the skirt body extending perpendicularlyrearward; and wherein each side panel comprises a top lip extendingperpendicularly inward toward the other side panel; and wherein each toplip is attachable to an underside of the microwave oven.
 2. The hoodextension assembly of claim 1, wherein the hood panel further comprisesa non-stick inner surface.
 3. The hood extension assembly of claim 1,wherein the hood panel further comprises a back portion and a frontportion comprising a lip extending downward.
 4. The hood extensionassembly of claim 3, wherein the back proportion comprises at least onemounting hole.
 5. The hood extension assembly of claim 3, wherein thelip of the front portion is perpendicularly oriented to the back portionof the hood panel.
 6. The hood extension assembly of claim 1, whereinthe top lip of each side panel comprises a plurality of mounting holes.7. The hood extension assembly of claim 1, wherein an inner surface ofeach side panel is a non-stick surface.
 8. The hood extension assemblyof claim 1, wherein the skirt body extends outward and away from themicrowave oven.
 9. The hood extension assembly of claim 1, wherein thehood panel and the pair of side panels are attachable to the undersideof the microwave oven via a plurality of mechanical fasteners.
 10. Thehood extension assembly of claim 1 further comprising at least onelighting element attached to an inner surface of the hood panel.
 11. Adetachable hood extension assembly for use with a microwave ovencomprising: a hood panel comprising a skirt body sloped downward fromback to front; a pair of side panels parallelly disposed on opposingends of the skirt body extending perpendicularly rearward; and a pair ofbrackets each comprising a mounting member and a mounting memberengaging rail; and wherein each mounting member is attachable to anunderside of the microwave oven and each mounting member engaging railis attachable to one of the side panels.
 12. The hood extension assemblyof claim 11, wherein each mounting member engaging rail slidably engagesthe respective mounting member.
 13. The hood extension assembly of claim11, wherein each mounting member engaging rail is detachable from therespective mounting member.
 14. The hood extension assembly of claim 11,wherein the hood panel further comprises a back portion and a frontportion comprising a lip extending downward.
 15. The hood extensionassembly of claim 14 further comprising a handle attached to the lip.16. The hood extension assembly of claim 11 further comprising at leastone lighting element attached to an inner surface of the hood panel. 17.A hood extension assembly for use with a microwave oven comprising: ahood panel comprising a skirt body sloped downward from back to front; apair of side panels parallelly disposed on opposing ends of the skirtbody extending perpendicularly rearward, each side panel comprising atop lip extending perpendicularly inward toward the other side panel;and a pair of brackets each comprising a mounting member and a mountingmember engaging rail; and wherein each mounting member is attachable toan underside of the microwave oven and each mounting member engagingrail is attachable to the top lip of one of the side panels; and whereinthe hood panel and pair of side panels are extendable and retractablealong the underside of the microwave oven.
 18. The hood extensionassembly of claim 17, wherein each mounting member engaging railslidably engages the respective mounting member.
 19. The hood extensionassembly of claim 17, wherein the skirt body is extended beyond theunderside of the microwave oven when fully extended.
 20. The hoodextension assembly of claim 17, wherein the skirt body is retractedbeneath the underside of the microwave oven when fully retracted.